Dark Angel Revised

by candyabble

From Bonnie and Clyde to missions for Eyes Only, the adventures of Max and Alec continue in this twisted version of Dark Angel. Part Three updated!

11. Proving

Chapter 11:  The Proving

They had been in Las Vegas for a week.  Before arriving, they had traveled for days putting as much distance between themselves and Manticore until finally deciding to settle in here for a while because as it turned out, Las Vegas was not a bad city to get lost in.

          After the pulse, the city had suffered the same fate as other tourists' attractions.  But unlike the others, Las Vegas hadn't taken long to recover and be restored to almost what it once was.  Ironically the very people the federal government tried to keep out of Nevada by passing laws that allowed publicly held corporations to own casinos in the state were the ones that got the city up and running again.  All those hotels and resorts would have gone to waste if not for the sects of organized crime, with their instant capital, taking over the tasks involved. 

Gambling was a popular past time for the wealthy. Plenty of people with money to burn survived the effects of the Pulse and being that greed was a major factor in such survival a chance to make even more money contributed to the continuing success of the city.  Because the city had a history of legitimacy in that activity men and women of prestigious means and stature that would never sully their names by being involved in underground activities had no qualms about spending some vacation time in Las Vegas.  Aside from gambling, there were enough other recreational activities set up to make it truly a family affair; something closely resembling Disney World before the parks were cemented over to build prisons and military bases in 2014.  There was also a residential boom that contributed to the city's success. It wasn't before long that the posh resorts became permanent homes to wealthy entrepreneurs and politicians further cloaking the city with influential power and making it untouchable to the federal government.

          But Max and Alec couldn't afford to spend their time in the casinos gambling. Yes with their enhanced abilities they could make a killing, but they'd also draw attention to themselves.  Even though there was a significant lack of military presence in this upscale community, the attention they would draw would be just if not more dangerous than their last close encounter. The old-money elite might have a blind eye when it came to who was really running the city but most everyone knew that those in charge were people you didn't want to tangle with. Despite being genetically engineered soldiers, Max and Alec also agreed not to take the risk. 

As an extra precaution, they also decided to lay off on robbing artwork from office buildings.  If Manticore cross referenced the highly skilled robbery of that dentist's office along with the appearance of an X5 in the same city, a few more checks in various cities coming up with past hits with the same MO and Manticore would have a heads up on places to scout for possible future heists. So Max decided they should return to her roots for a while.  Alec had scoffed at first feeling it would be quite a let down considering how much they usually pulled in, but considering the amount of wealthy people they were surrounded by, a couple hours of pick pocketing a day turned out to be quite lucrative.  But after a few days, both transgenics became bored and decided to up the stakes with a little grifting. 

          If it was one thing they learned while frequenting the haunts of the wealthy it was that they loved to gossip.  The haves were after all a small percentage of the country's population.  Therefore the grapevine provided just about everything there was to know about a person in that class. For Max and Alec, the gossip was useful Intel.  Thus they decided for their next big job, they would each find a mark, someone outside of the organized crime realm that lived in the city and were extremely wealthy.  They'd sweet talk their mark into taking them home with them and in one night they'd have the set up of two places to hit.  The cash they'd get from the safes as well as the jewelry and other small trinkets would have them set for a very long time.

By the end of the week, they had found the perfect place to "meet" their marks.  They checked into an upscale hotel hoping their job tonight would more than make up for the $5000 a night it was costing to stay there. A "save the something" charity dinner was taken place in one of the hotel's banquet halls. And though they didn't have invitations, they were both confident that their looks, a glance at the guest list for a name to use, a haughty attitude, and a lame excuse for why they don't have their invitations would be enough to get them in. So after putting down their stuff in their room and agreeing to not see each other again until the party, the two set off in opposite directions to find the clothes that would make them look like they did belong with the elegant crowd.

***

          Alec sipped at the glass of scotch and soda in his hand and grimaced.  Can do without the soda. He thought before taking another sip.  Just then he felt a body press up behind him.  Knowing it was Max he didn't bother turning around.

"Got your mark?" Max's voice whispered in his ear. 

"Yeah, word is she's an heiress to quite a fortune; folks responsible for the Coca Cola and Pepsi merger in '12 before they were—"

Alec's abilities to speak, think, and breathe evaporated when he turned around to face Max. True they had been sharing the same space for months and there was never a time when he saw her looking less than beautiful.  If anything his segues of quiet musing would often provide him with the topic of when he thought Max was cuter: sleeping, eating, yelling at him, hitting him, ignoring him, or laughing.  So far laughing and sleeping were winning. But his physical attraction to her was never really much of an issue. He'd grown up around beautiful girls. Plus, self control had been ingrained into him since day one.  More importantly their amity overshadowed any sexual urges of his towards her. He didn't really understand familial relationships but he supposed if he had to pick one for Max, she'd be more like his brother rather than a girlfriend.  The most obvious reason because they didn't do the types of things that boyfriends and girlfriends did.  But he'd take what he and Max had over that other stuff any day: to know someone always had his back, to really laugh with someone, to not have to play a role and to be able to be himself.  He'd never let his hormones get in the way of that.  At least that was true until the moment when he turned around and saw what she was wearing.

Okay he knew she had breasts.  She was after all female.  But they were usually well hidden behind tee shirts or blouses or jackets.  But in that top she was now wearing they were all pushed together and straining against the thin material. With each breath she took, they bobbed enticingly separated only by a little valley that he bet his tongue could fit right into. Looking further down he saw that the same thin, easily tear able material covered shapely thighs and long, smooth well-toned legs.  It didn't stop there.  He thought he'd be able to regain some control if he continued down to her feet. However with the sight that greeted him there, suddenly his pants felt about four sizes too small.

He didn't know why the sight caused such a reaction--probably the unexpectedness of it. Tough biker bitch Max was wearing not only high heals on her dainty, pretty feet but a gold butterfly toe ring.  Alec swallowed hard. A toe ring!  God, help me.

"Yeah that heifer at the shoe store insisted I get one when she saw the shoes I picked out." Max voiced when she noticed that Alec had been staring at her toe ring for almost two minutes.  "Anyways keep going about the soda chick." When he didn't answer her, Max shoved him in the chest.  "Dammit Alec, I'll get you one too since you find them so fascinating, but in the mean time can you please focus on our mission?"

"Huh?"  He finally looked up at her after being shoved, but the love tap did nothing to prompt his memory.  However the glare she was given him that promised certain physical pain turned out to be just the thing to get him back in check. Alec cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his mark. 

"Her folks were murdered a year after the merger. She just graduated from an all girl boarding school and is taking a year break before college." Not wanting Max to think anything of his earlier ogling of her, he added in a suggestive tone. "Also heard she's a real wild one."

"She's cute."  Max said after giving her a brief once over.

"Oh yeah!  Thinking of laying on the charm.  With any luck, not that luck would be needed; I'll be back at her place in no time."

"Great."  Was Max's tight lipped answer. Her curtness caused Alec to look at her in surprise but instead of commenting on it, he continued with the task at hand.  "So what have you found?"

"Brother over there in the corner.  His father was Miles Dyson, one of the geniuses behind Cyberdyne."

"Yeah." Alec said not hiding how impressed he was. "Their logo was on a lot of Manticore's shit.  I think they're our…I mean Manticore's biggest suppliers."

Max's face lit up in amusement at Alec's slip, but she let it go.  She knew how hard it could be sometimes to disassociate yourself from that place. "The dad died a long time ago, but he had been important enough that his family was well taken care of before and after the pulse." Max whispered. "Even though the kid's rich and very easy on the eyes, he's been sheltered most of his life.  Real strict mom so he's real shy around women.  He might even be a virgin.  I'm going to play the adoring but innocent role.  You know hang on his every word, subtly stroke his ego until he sees me as wife material."

"Ooh evil.  I like it."

"Giving the givens I think I can still be back at his place before you even get Ms. Botox's digits."

"Now that sounds suspiciously like a challenge, Maxie?"  Max shrugged in response.  "Oh you're on.  And because I'm a nice guy and you clearly don't know what you're getting into, how bout we just make pride the only stakes for this game."

"Whatever, Alec.  Anyway there's nothing that you got that I want anyway."

"So you're gonna add liar right under foolish on your list of characteristics."

"Too bad loser's already on your list because that's what you'd be adding after tonight."

"Yeah, we'll see."

"Meet back here in an hour for an update then."

"Works for me."  And with those parting words, the two set off to find their respective marks.

***

Easy on the eyes.  Whatever.  Probably has to spend hours in the gym though. And look at those shoes! He's probably gay.  Max is just wasting her time. 

"I wanted to get a chance to say hello.  I'm sure in a little while you're going to be busy with the hundred or so guys trying to talk to you."  Alec drawled to the woman he recently introduced himself to. 

Careful Alec.  Don't want to fill her bubble head with too much more hot air.  Bitch…I mean girl hasn't stopped grinning at him yet. 

"That's amazing that you write your own music too." Max gushed. "I'd love to hear you play.  The accordion is one of my favorite instruments."

Shit, definitely not gay.  Hey buddy, her eyes are about ten inches north!  Asshole.

"Fruit loops are my favorite.  But if they put your picture on the box instead of that rabbit's, I'd definitely switch to those."

What the hell could he be saying to her?  If she's not careful her jaw is going to lock like that.  And what a shame it would be if then a well placed elbow knocked all those pretty teeth to the floor.

"You're kidding!  You were a badminton champion too. That's such a beautiful sport. You know, in this day and age, it's so rare to meet someone as well rounded as you.

Jesus, Max, if you press yourself any closer to him you'll be behind him!

"Would you excuse me for a moment?  My friend asked me to keep an eye on his bratty, alcoholic younger sister.  I just gotta go check up on her."

"That's so sweet of you."

"I'll be back in a second.  Dare I get my hopes up in thinking that you'll be here when I get back?" Alec took her dreamy sigh and bright red cheeks as a yes and walked away.

"Ah there you are."  Max turned hearing Alec's voice ring out as he approached her. "Your aunt told me to find you just in case you passed out somewhere again." He continued.

"What the hell are you doing?" Max said through gritted teeth out of range of her mark's hearing.

"Richard Wealthington, pleased to meet you."  Alec turned to Max's companion and spoke, ignoring Max's glares.

"Daniel Dyson." The two shook.  Daniel winced as Alec failed to take into consideration his enhanced strength like he usually did when dealing with ordinary people.

"This one's not giving you any trouble is she." He nodded in Max's direction. "It's so rare that we let her out in public, you know doctor's orders, that when she does go out she gets a little crazy.  Crazier than usual I should say.  We--oomph." Whatever Alec was going to say was cut off when he muffled the scream of pain from coming out of his mouth after Max poked him hard in the spine. 

"You're dead."  He heard her whisper.

"She's been a delight." Daniel said politely but Alec didn't miss the new wary way he was eying her from behind Alec's shoulder.  Mission accomplished. 

"Oh that's good.  Guess I'll let you get back to your chat.  I'm going to put her aunt's mind at ease now before I get back to catching up with some old friends." Alec clasped Daniel on the back nearly knocking the wind out of him while saying. "We should do lunch, Dan." 

Max was seething as she watched Alec walk back towards his "friend."  So he wants to play dirty.

          "Um, would you excuse me?  I have to go to the men's room." Max heard Daniel say.

          "No problem.  I'll be right here."  She said sweetly despite knowing a brush off when she heard one.

          Max's smile fell away the moment Daniel turned and headed towards the bathroom.  Her eyes narrowed when she saw "Ms. Bubblehead" turning away from the man she'd been talking to and giving her full attention back to Alec. He is so dead! Was the thought in Max's mind interspersed between her furious mental planning and then dismissing of possible ways to get Alec back.  When her eyes fell on a lanky gentleman chatting with a small group of people while occasionally sending lustful gazes to the passing asses of a few of the waiters, she smiled.

          Max grabbed a glass of Champaign from a floating tray and made her way over to the group. After insinuating herself into the conversation by quickly catching on to the topic and dazzling them a little with what was merely popular opinion disguised in multi syllable words, Max focused on her target. "I don't mean to pull you away from your friends, but can I talk to you alone. Not letting his bored expression dissuade her, Max smiled and added. "It will only take a minute."

          Once they were away from the crowd, Max beamed.  "I really hope I'm not embarrassing myself or my friend for that matter." She said before subtly pointing in Alec's direction. "But he's been eyeing you all night." She knew his curiosity was piqued by the way his eyes lit up as he continued to give Alec the once over. "He could really use some rescuing from that woman he's talking to."

          "Oh he is lovely." The man said still not taking his eyes off of Alec. "You don't think he's out of my league." Max's smile grew.  

          "I told you, he's been looking your way all night.  Surprised you didn't notice."

          "Actually I did see him staring every now and then."  The man giggled slightly and blushed.  He then turned wide eyes on Max and gushed. "What should I say?"

          "You know you should probably make it so the girl who just isn't taken the hint gets the message loud and clear."

          "Oh I know just the thing.  Thanks sweetie, you're a gem.  Lovely toe ring by the way."

          "Oh thank you."  Max watched him saunter off towards Alec." Thank you very much." She added under her breath.  
          Alec was too busy trying not to roll his eyes at the stupidity that was pouring out of the mouth of the woman in front of him to notice the man that was inching closer and closer into his personal space. Therefore it was quite a shock when a set of lips were crushing his own and his face was being held to said lips by a pair of masculine hands. The kiss ended abruptly as the man released Alec's lips to begin speaking. 

          "Here you are. I've been looking all over for you. I finally got a room, what do you say we go use it. "

After recovering from nearly choking on her Champaign courtesy of the sight of seeing Alec lip locking it with another man, Max quickly made her way over to them.  At first, Alec was too shocked and red faced to react, but Max saw that he had fully recovered and that the man she had sent over to him was now in mortal danger.

          "Careful, don't want to cause a scene."  Alec heard behind him just as he was about to break the guy's hand that was still around his waist and then his nose for kissing him. 

          She was right.  And even as his body began to shake from further rage at the sight of his "mark," turning and walking away in disgust, Alec managed to subtly step away from the man groping him and calmly say to him.

          "Why don't you go to the room and wait.  I have some business to take care of first." Not waiting for a reply, Alec turned to Max and with a death grip on her forearm steered her away.

          "You crossed the line Max." He whispered harshly.

          "Save it Alec, you know you started it by not playing fair." She said after yanking her arm away and turning on him. "And it looks like I win, seeing how your date just left the room on the arm of that meat locker of a guy, and my date just exited the bathroom but is still very much alone and probably very open to the tale of a jealous ex boyfriend trying to sabotage my future happiness by making up a story of me being crazy." She sneered.

          "So you're just gonna go over there and start wooing him again?" Alec asked.

          "That's the plan."  Max smiled.

          "And you really think he's going to buy you not being crazy with you looking like that."

          "Like what?" She questioned, all traces of a smile replaced by her miffed expression.

          With that Alec flicked the wrist that was holding an almost full glass of scotch and soda. An instant later, the contents of the now empty glass were dripping down Max's face and hair

          "Oops."  Alec smiled.

          Stunned beyond belief, it was a truly admirable feat that Max had the mental capacity to know she also couldn't draw attention to them by either killing Alec where he stood or by throwing him across the room.  Instead she retaliated by emptying the contents of her Champaign glass down the front of his pants.

          "Oops." She echoed.

***

          They had no other choice but to leave the party before more people aside from the ones in their immediate vicinity started giving them ghastly looks on account of their actions and appearance. There were more people mulling about in between the banquet room where the party was held and their hotel room, so the duo kept their litany of insults and promises of bodily harm under their breath as they made their way back to their room.  Once the two were back in the privacy of their quarters they faced off.

          "You just had to go and mess everything up!" Max shouted while Alec said simultaneously.

          "Thanks for ruining everything." 

          "What the hell was your problem Alec?  That twit about to blow you off so you decided to sabotage my deal just to win a stupid bet.  How immature are you!"

          "Oh you wish.  You know she was all over me which is the only reason why you sent Liberace over to feel me up."

          "He did a lot more than that." Max laughed.

          "Least I got some. Mr. Cyberdyne was way too relieved to have an excuse to stop talking to you.  I saw it from a mile away which is why I went over there to save you from an even harsher rejection. You should be thanking me."

          "Thanking you!  You want to talk about embarrassment.  You're lucky I messed things up for you.  Imagine if you had gone home with Lady Boob Job. You know out in the real world a girl expects a lot more and with you being locked up and repressed at Manticore, I doubt you'd have been able to deliver."

          Max was expecting another comeback and therefore preparing for her own retort, but when she saw the way Alec's eyes narrowed on her, for the first time she feared she may have pushed things too far when it came to the man before her.

          "Unable to deliver, Max." His voice had a tone unlike any one she'd ever heard from him before. Shocked by it, she barely registered Alec's movement before he grabbed her and she felt his lips crushing hers. A few seconds later Alec pulled away and smirked at Max's stunned expression.

          Not being able to deliver.  That'll show her.  Can't believe she said that.  What a low blow.  Wait…why isn't she saying anything?  Cause you the man that's why!  I kissed her speechless.  Unless she's preparing to hurt me.  Shit, Alec, maybe you crossed the line.  Why is she still not saying anything?  Fine, Max, just smack me already.  Unless the kiss sucked so badly that she's trying not to laugh.  Oh no what if she's right and I can't deliver.  Dammit Max say something!

Just as Alec opened his mouth to voice out loud his last thought, she spoke.  Or maybe he imagined it because she couldn't have just said what he thought he heard.

 "Do that again."  She repeated her order.

"Huh?"

"You heard me, pretty boy."

"Why?" Alec was now baffled beyond belief.

"I need to know if you were just trying to prove something or if you really kiss like that.  Alec smiled as all his confidence

returned full force. He stalked closer to her and said huskily.

"Like what Maxie.  Like this?"  He kissed her again exactly like he had before. He then pulled away and said. "If I just had something to prove I would have done it like this." With that, he kissed her again. The first and second time he had kissed her, Max literarily saw stars.  She didn't believe it could possibly be any better.  That is until he kissed her a third time.  Throbbing passion coursed throughout her body as his tongue wrecked havoc throughout every inch of her mouth. "Proving how long I could make it last." To Max's utter surprise, after those few words he kissed her again. This time slower and gentler until Max was sure she was now a puddle on the floor. "Proving just how I could worship you."  She heard him whisper before kissing her yet again. Her eyelids were so heavy she could barely see but she did hear him moan and it sent another tingle through her. "To let you know I like it too."  Fortunately when he kissed her once more his arms were around her because without them there'd be no way she could support herself with her legs now akin to heaps of gelatin. "Because you taste too damn good to stop." He added to his list of reasons.

 Alec's hold remained until Max found the strength to stand again. When he pulled away completely, Max put her hand to his chest and pushed him further away.

"Okay, so you can kiss, but that's probably all you're good at."  She then turned and walked away leaving Alec slightly stunned.  No she didn't have eyes on the back of her head but Max could sense the confusion on Alec's face over her dismissal of his Casanova impression and she couldn't help but smile. Taking pity on him, she made it a few feet before turning back to him.  "Care to prove me wrong?"  And her heart leapt at the smile that formed on Alec's face from her words.

He blurred and Max's entire body heaved at the feel of the strong arms instantaneously enveloping her. A gasp fell from her full lips as she peered into the smoldering eyes of Alec. Arousal, anticipation, and lastly fear did laps throughout her system.

Alec was a fully functional transgenic male with all the strength and dexterity that description implied. Her sexual partners before Alec were few as in one two years ago when she had experienced heat for the first time.  And even then it had been with an ordinary human guy. Sure a few minutes ago she had been teasing Alec on his inexperience but the truth was she was the one that had very little practice when it came to sex.  What if she couldn't keep up?

Alec noting the uncertainty in her eyes, slowly relaxed his grip on her and then eventually let go. 

"Max?"

Being a tease was a role Max perfected long ago in order to con men into doing or giving her something she wanted, but Alec was the last person she wanted to send mixed signals to. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" The gentle brush of his fingers across her cheek made her heart swell.  The depth of concern in his eyes wasn't helping matters either. She began to further panic when she felt moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"Come here."  He said softly as he tugged her towards a chair.  He sat and then pulled her onto his lap. "You know you can talk to me right." Max nodded feeling like too much of an idiot to speak.  "Do you also know how important you are to me and that there's no way I'd want to do something you weren't completely sure you wanted to do too?"  At those last words, Max looked down at her hands clasped tightly in her lap.  Alec gently lifted her chin until she was eye level with him again. "Max?"

Aside from the concern for her, Max also saw a trace of the same look she first witnessed when he found out she had been spying on him.  He was worried that she still didn't trust him.  The need to erase that thought broke through her muteness.  "I know."  She responded before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him fiercely. Alec's arms tightened around her as well and the two remained in the tight embrace for several minutes.

Max couldn't remember a time when she felt as safe and protected as she was sitting in Alec's lap with his arms around her waist holding her to him. Their earlier anger at each other was a distant memory.  It was obvious to both of them that jealousy had been the primary motivator for their earlier antics. No apologies or explanations were needed.  At least about that.  Max did feel the need to explain to Alec that she didn't mean to lead him on a few moments ago.

"Huh Maxie?"  He'd heard her mumble something into his shoulder.  She slowly lifted her head until she was eye level with him again before saying.

"I'm scared I'll disappoint you."

"What?"  Alec laughed.

Max rolled her eyes towards the ceiling.  "I know I joked you about not knowing what you're doing when it comes to…you know.  But the truth is, I've never really…I mean I've only…there hasn't been—"

Alec's eyes widened. "Max, are you saying that you're a—"

"No.  I'm not a virgin.  I've had sex before."  She quickly clarified.  "One time before." She mumbled further.

Alec was silent for a while as he absorbed this information. He tried not to smile at the idea that she was worried that he would be let down because she hadn't had a chance to hone her skills in bed before meeting him.  There were two ways he could handle this.  He could assure her that she could never disappoint him and besides making love would be as new an experience for him as it was for her because even though he did have a few more notches on his belt, those times and women meant next to nothing to him aside from temporary gratification; it had just been sex. And even though "making love" was a foreign concept for him, he knew it would be different when and if the two of them did something. Or instead of telling Max all that, he could crack a joke to bring them back to more familiar ground thus reminding her that the most important components of their relationship were already in place.  He chose option two.

"That's good to know."

"Why's that?" Her eyes narrowed at the glint in his eyes.

"Well with you living all this time out here in filth and degradation, I was a little worried that I might catch something."

"Shut up." She said before punching him in the shoulder.  Alec shocked her by catching her fist before it connected.  He then slowly guided her hand to his lips.  Now the she was reminded, he was hoping she was ready to accept that adding another level to their relationship would not destroy it.

Never breaking eye contact he used his thumb to open her fists until her fingers were resting against his lips.  He then placed a kiss on each finger.  Max swallowed at the small yet incredibly arousing actions.  When he continued by flicking his tongue out to taste one of her fingers, she became irrationally jealous of her hand and yanked it away before latching her lips on to his.

          She barely registered the shift in movement as Alec lifted her in his strong arms and carried her to one of the beds. Their mouths never parted as he gently laid her down and covered her body with his own. Her only focus was the pleasure she was receiving and hopefully given to Alec as they continued to kiss and softly caress for what seemed like hours. But with their clothes no longer separating them and her awareness that the only thing left to do was to become one, she felt the slight trepidation fluttering in her stomach once more. Max's eyes widened and immediately sought his, hoping for the comfort she'd always found there despite never telling him so. She wasn't disappointed as she was met with his hazel orbs boring into her brown ones. Seeing his steady gaze mixed with both passion and reverence, the fluttering ceased.  And without further hesitation, Max pulled Alec's head down to hers for another kiss while opening herself in offering to him both completely and happily.

TBC

Author's note:  Although I have plans for future smut, I'm just not ready to put it in the story yet.  Did anybody get the Terminator 2 references with Max's mark Daniel Dyson?

Also check out my first Dark Angel video!  You might need Quicktime to play it, so on the page there's a link to download that.  My profile page has the link to my website where you'll find the video.